Crossing the US-Canada Border for Medical Reasons

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If you are travelling to the United States for a surgery or a medical procedure there are some things to consider and be aware of. Canadian citizens and permanent residents do not require a visa to enter the US. However, there are certain points to keep in mind.

  • Cannabis is illegal in the United States

This one is very serious. It is illegal to bring any cannabis or cannabis products into the US, including prescription cannabis, CBD oils and others.

  • State the reason for your visit clearly and do no make anything up

In recent years we have seen a slight shift in the amount of subjective authority the border officers are given to evaluate someone entering the US. If an officer detects you are not telling the truth even in the matter not relating to your trip, he or she can assume you are not being truthful in any of your explanations. So, speak the truth – always!

  • Have proof of financial support at home

We have seen clients turned away from entering the US because they could not verify that they are able to pay for their medical service in the US.  It can be interpreted that they can potentially present risks to become a burden to the already monetarily stressed healthcare in the US. This is a rare occurrence. However, it is helpful to bring with you a recent bank statement from your bank at home to show that you are able to pay for the procedure. This will help avoid any delays or appointments missed.

While these three things may seem trivial, they are sometimes overlooked. Hiring a medical facilitator will help you keep everything together and ensure that your medical travel goes smoothly and without any delays. Contact Health Vantis for your free evaluation, toll-free 1 877 344 3544.

Private Shoulder Surgery

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Your shoulder is the most flexible joint in your body. It allows you to move your arm in front, above, to the side, and behind your body. Such flexibility also makes your shoulder prone to instability and injury.

If you exhausted all the non-surgical methods to help your shoulder pain, surgery should be considered. In some cases, delaying a surgical procedure of a shoulder can increase the likelihood that the problem will be more difficult to treat later. Early, correct diagnosis and treatment of shoulder problems can make a significant difference in the long run.

There are many shoulder surgeries that exist today. Some of them are minimally invasive, or arthroscopic and some are more traditional open surgeries. Some of the more common private surgeries Health Vantis can facilitate are:

  • Rotator Cuff Surgery

This one repairs the rotator cuff. During the procedure identified damaged parts of the rotator cuff are cleaned and any torn or damaged tendons are reattached. Smaller injuries can be repaired arthroscopically.

  • Subacromial Decompression

Sometimes the tendons of your rotator cuff are intermittently trapped and compressed during movement. This condition is called impingement syndrome. It causes progressive damage to the tendons and the cushions inside the joint space. Another name for this syndrome is rotator cuff tendonitis or bursitis. The condition can be relieved by arthroscopic surgery subacromial decompression.

  • Shoulder replacement

Just like in hip replacement, this surgery replaces the ball and socket joint of the shoulder with artificial parts. The surgery is reserved for severe arthritis or advanced fractures of the shoulder. Partial shoulder replacements are also performed

If you are experiencing a delay in getting a shoulder surgery in Canada, contact Health Vantis to find out your private options in the USA. An initial evaluation is free of charge – call us toll free 1 877 344 3544.

Pre-Op Testing – What Is Needed?

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Once you make your decision to proceed with the surgery Health Vantis makes all the arrangements for you. One of the moving parts of preparation for surgery is pre-op testing. The requirements can be different, depending on the procedure you require and your individual health.

The two most common tests the doctors we work with ask our clients to complete is bloodwork and EKG. Blood work within the last 3 months prior to surgery is usually accepted. If more recent blood work is required, you can schedule a visit with your family doctor and ask for a requisition of what is needed. It usually takes a couple of days to get the results and those can also be picked up at your family doctor.

If you are over 65 and/or have high blood pressure or other cardiological issues, an EKG test is required. In most provinces, it is fairly easy to get. Again, this can be done through your family doctor.

If the results of the EKG are concerning, a cardiological clearance is required. This one is not as easily obtained as the EKG or blood work. Most of the facilities we work with can suggest a local cardiologist that can schedule a consult on short notice to accommodate your surgery date. The cost varies per doctor and location and will be communicated to you by Health Vantis upfront.

Sometimes, when there is a GYN surgery involved, the surgeon would like to see the results of the most recent PAP test. This is done to ensure the overall health of the client is acceptable for surgery.

If you are considering private surgery and have any questions, we are here to help!

What Your Hip Replacement Implants Are Made Of

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Even though hip replacement surgery is one of the most common and successful orthopaedic procedures, it can still raise lots of questions. You may be wondering what kind of joint replacement implant you will get and what it is made of. What parts of your hip will be replaced?

Your hip is made of two main components: the ball and the socket. When a hip replacement is performed, damaged parts of the joint are removed and resurfaced.  The ball-and-socket is then replaced with an artificial implant. The surface of the ball and socket replacement parts become the parts that will move and allow the new hip mobility. The materials used in the implant depend on different factors, including:

  • Age of the patient
  • The activity level of the patient
  • Surgeon’s preference
  • Particular deformities/abnormalities of the hip

Typically, there are four individual components to total hip replacement implants:

  1. Stem—inserts into the femur or thigh bone
  2. Cup—inserts into the pelvic bone
  3. Ball—fits onto the end of the stem
  4. Liner—inserts into the cup—essentially becomes your new cartilage

The stem is usually made from cobalt-chromium and/or titanium. If your stem is cemented (inserted with bone cement), then it will be cobalt chromium metal, and if it is cementless (designed for bone to grown into metal), it will be a titanium one. Both designs have excellent long-term results as part of total hip replacement system.

The cup, or acetabulum, is made from titanium or tantalum metals. Both of the metals are tolerated well by human bone and provide excellent surfaces for bony attachment.

The ball, or femoral head, fits on the end of the stem. It comes in different diameters, depending on the size of the cup that fits into pelvis. The ball can be made of ceramic, commonly referred to as porcelain or cobalt-chromium – the most common material used in the past.

The liner fits into the cup and serves as your new cartilage. This part is the most susceptible to wear. In the early days of hip replacement, these parts only lasted about 10 years. Today, the improvements made in the materials used allow for greater longevity of this part of the implant.

Ceramic is one of such materials. It is very strong and provides low wear rates when used with a ceramic ball. Polyethylene, a plastic has been improved in the recent years. It is the most common liner used in today’s hip replacement practice. It is usually coupled with ceramic or cobalt chromium balls.  Cobalt -chromium liners are also sometimes used, paired with a plastic ball. For certain patients this may be a good option.

During your consultation with an orthopedic surgeon you should discuss your options and pros and cons of each material. Together you can make the best decision for your particular case. Many studies have shown hip implants can last beyond 15 years from the original surgery. If you need help connecting with a wait-free private facility and surgeon in the US Health Vantis is here to assist. Give us a call toll free 1877 344 3544.